Refrigerator car structure



P 1941- c. D. BONSALL 2,256,376

REFRIGERATOR CAR STRUCTURE Filed July 24, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 P 1941 c. D. BONSALL 2,256,376

REFRIGERATOR CAR STRUCTURE Filed July 24, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet IS [nven 70/" Charles D. Bonsal/ A Home;

Sept. 16, 1941. c BQNSALL 2,256,376

REFRIGERATOR CAR STRUCTURE Filed July 24, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F g. 11 lnvcmor C fidf/S D. Bonsal/ for/7g Patented Sept. 16, 1941 REFRIGERATOR CAR STRUCTURE Charles D. Bonsall, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Standard Railway Devices Company, a corporation of Delaware Application July 24, 1939, Serial No. 286,138

13 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerator cars used to transport perishable commodities at a predetermined temperature. The essential features of a refrigerator car are an insulated body to prevent or retard ingress of heat during warm weather and egress of heat during cold weather and a cooling means and a heating means to be used during warm and cold weather respectively.

This invention applies particularly to cars in which the cooling means, preferably containers for water ice, eutectic ice, brine or dry ice, are disposed immediately below the roof of the car. The lading is supported in spaced relation to the floor by a foraminous rack. Flues, preferably associated with the side walls of the car, communicate between the cooling means and the space under the floor rack to provide a path for the circulation of air. The path is from the cooling means downwardly through the aforementioned flues, through the space under the floor rack, upwardly through the lading compartment thereby cooling the lading, and finally to the cooling means from where the cycle is repeated.

The refrigerant used in a car of this type usually weighs as much as several tons so that it is essential that the structure supporting the refrigerant have considerable strength. In addition to the dead weight of this mass there are dynamic forces of great magnitude, both vertically and horizontally, which are caused by acceleration and deceleration of the car and by sudden starting and stopping as well as swaying of the car. The hazards in a car of this type due to the above conditions are particularly great because of the danger of the containers dropping from their overhead position onto the lading.

It is also essential, in addition to having the tanks securely supported, to have them supported so that they may be readily removed and replaced. Damage to the tanks may be caused by the shifting of the great mass of refrigerant or by the impact which occurs when large pieces of refrigerant are dropped through the hatches into the containers. Corrosion is another factor which necessitates the containers being readily removable and replaceable. Salt, which is often used with the refrigerant, has a very corrosive effect on many materials and often results in rapid deterioration.

It is an object of the invention to support the containers on a solid base; that is, one in which the weight of the refrigerant and the refrigerant container is supported by substantially horizontal surfaces resting upon other such surfaces. This is considered an improvement over a construction in which the containers are supported by the shear strength of bolts or rivets. Another object is to provide means for bracing the refrigerant containers against the lateral thrusts which occur due to the inertia of a shifting refrigerant in the container. A further object of the invention, in addition to bracing the containers against horizontal and vertical thrusts, is to provide means by which the containers may be lowered vertically out of position after a relatively small lateral movement thereof.

Drip pans, which are usually disposed below the containers, commonly have, for a purpose to be hereinafter described, partitions upstanding therefrom at certain edges thereof. It is essential for the protection of the lading from liquid that the joint between the drip pans and the partitions be watertight. An object of the invention is to provide carlines for supporting the containers, said carlines being disposed near the roof of the car so that substantially all of the aforementioned partitions are below the carline, thereby eliminating the necessity of a watertight joint between the partitions and carlines.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a transverse section through a refrigerator car embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan section of the car shown in Fig. 1, the left part of Fig. 2 being above the container and the right part of Fig. 2 being a section through the container and carline.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the upper part of the car shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as indicated by the line 33 in Fig, 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view similar to a portion of Fig. 2 but having part of the carline broken away to show the details of the attachment thereof to the side wall of the car.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5--5 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 6 and 7 are horizontal and vertical sectional views, respectively, of a car equipped with a modified form of carline.

Fig. 8 is a transverse section of the upper part of a refrigerator car embodying a modified form of my invention.

Fig, 9 is a plan section through the tank of the refrigerator car shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan view from above the tank showing another modification of my invention.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of the car shown in Fig. 10 as indicated by the line ll-H in Fig. 10.

The general parts of the refrigerator car shown are insulated roof 2, side wall 3, floor 4, hatch 5, refrigerant container 6, side wall flue 1, foraminous floor rack 8 and space 9 between rack 8 and floor 4. A refrigerant container 6 is positioned directly below the roof 2 and adjacent the side wall 3. A drip pan I2 is provided below the container 6 and a partition I4 is secured in an upstanding position at the edge of the drip pan I2. The drip pan I2 and partition I4 cooperate with the roof 2 and side Wall 3 to form an enclosing structure II around the container 6, an air inlet opening I5 being provided by spacing the partition I4 from the roof 2. An air discharge opening I1 which leads to the flue 1 is formed by spacing the drip pan I2 from the wall 3.

Air circulation is as follows: Air in the lading compartment I8 is warmed by contact with the lading and rises to enter the enclosing structure II through the air inlet opening I5. The air is cooled by contact with the refrigerant container 6 and falls by reason of its greater density through the discharge openings I1 and flue 1 to the space 9 whence it rises through the rack 8 to the lading compartment I8. Cars of this type usually have a row of refrigerant containers near each wall and directly below the roof so that air flowing from the lading compartment flows between the containers disposed on opposite sides of the car.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1-5, inclusive, the side Walls 3 of the car comprise outer sheathing 20, outer posts 2I, inner sheet 22, inner posts 23 and insulation 24 between the outer sheathing and the inner sheet 22. Carlines 21 for supporting the refrigerant containers 6 preferably comprise a channel-shaped member 28 and a cover plate 30 secured to the top of the channel 28, the carlines 21 extending between and being secured to the side walls 3 of the car. Means for supporting the carlines consist of channel-shaped brackets 32 secured to the inner posts 23. A plate 33 is secured to the top of each bracket 32, preferably by welding, and is provided with a depending flange 35 and a transversely extending reflange 36 on the flange 35. Another member 38 comprises depending flanges 39, 49 which are secured to the flange 35 and reflange 36, respectively, of the plate 33 and an upstanding flange 42 disposed in flatwise relation to one side of the carline 21. The carlines 21 are preferably disposed closely adjacent the roof 2 of the car and the ceiling 45 is provided with upwardly projecting panels 46 above the carlines 21 to provide recesses 41 to accomodate the carlines 21. may also have upwardly projecting panels 59 aligned with the panels 46 of the ceiling 45, the panels in the ceiling and outer roof sheet cooperating to help hold the roof insulation 52 in place.

A refrigerant container 6 is preferably formed of sheet metal and may be provided with stiffening corrugations 56 on the several sides and bottom as shown in the drawings. The container may also be provided with holes on certain sides thereof for air flow therethrough or for escape of melted refrigerant. Corners of the container 6 may be provided with stiffening members, such as the vertical channel shaped members 58 at the side of the container 6 adjacent the side wall 3 of the car and the Z-shaped members 59 at the side of the container adjacent the center of the car. Horizontal reinforcing members inay be angles 68 such as are shown along the horizontal edges of the container 6.

As shown in Fig. 5, the brackets 32 which are The outer roof sheet 49 CTI secured to the inner side posts 23 are provided with outwardly projecting, substantially horizontal shelves 65. The channel-shaped reinforcing members 58 are provided with substantially horizontal feet 66 which rest upon the shelves 65, thereby providing a solid support for the container 6. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, vertically disposed channel-shaped brackets 69 are provided depending from the carlines 21, the webs 10 of the brackets 69 preferably being notched so that the flanges 1I thereof lap the carlines 21 in flatwise relation thereto. The flanges 1I may be secured to the carlines by some means, such as welding. The brackets 69 also have outwardly projecting, substantially horizontal shelves 13 and the Z-shaped reinforcing members 59 have substantially horizontal feet 14 to engage the shelves 13, thereby supporting the container 6. Bolts 16 are preferably provided to secure together the feet 66, 14 and shelves 65, 13 and additional bolts 18 provided to secure certain vertical legs 80, SI of the reinforcing members 58, 59 to the flanges 82, 83 of the brackets 32, 69. Shims 86 may be provided between the reinforcing members 58, 59 and the brackets 32, 69, which shims should be of the thickness required to provide the container 6 with a snug fit between the carlines 21.

When it is desired to remove the containers 6 it is necessary only to remove the bolts 16, 18, move the containers laterally toward the center of the car a distance slightly greater than the width of the shelves 65, 13, the width of the shelves being that dimension shown on Fig. 1. It should be noted that the containers are then free to be lowered in a vertical direction to the floor of the car. Containers may be replaced by movements in reverse order.

It is quite important to the refrigerating efiiciency of a car of this type that the top of the partition I4 be at a considerably higher level than the opening I1 to the flue 1. It is equally important that the joint between the partition I4 and the drip pan I2 be watertight to prevent leakage from the container 6 to the lading; for this reason, the carlines 21 are disposed closely adjacent the roof 2, the ceiling 45 being provided with a panel 46 and the brackets 32, 69 for supporting the containers 6 being arranged in a depending position from the carlines 21.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the carline 95 is substantially an I-beam comprising a vertically disposed plate or web 96 with the angles 91 secured to the upper and lower edges thereof. The channel-shaped bracket 99 which is secured to the side wall 3 has a U-shaped cradle-like piece I08 secured thereto, which piece forms a support for an outer end of the carline 95. The bracket 99 is formed with outwardly projecting shelves I02 which are substantially similar to the shelves 65 described in reference to Figs. 1-5, and the reinforcing members I94 of the containers shown in Figs. 6 and 7 are also substantially similar to the members 59 of Figs. 1-5. The supporting bracket I adjacent the center of the car comprises a vertically disposed channel shaped member I86 secured to each side of the carline 95, each channel having an outwardly projecting shelf I88 which forms a support for a foot I III of the Z-bar reinforcing member H4. The bolts H2 and shims II3 are the same as described in reference to Figs. 1-5, as is the method of removing and replacing containers.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the

side wall 3 comprises outer sheathing I20, outer sideplates I2I, posts I22, inner sheet I23 and inner sides plates I24. Channel-shaped carlines I26 having depending ends I28 extend between the inner side plates I24 and are secured thereto. Brackets I30 for supporting the side I29 of a refrigerant container 6 adjacent the side wall 3 of the car are secured to the inner side plates I24 and the depending ends I28 of the carlines I26. Each bracket I30 comprises a transversely extending plate I3I, a vertically disposed flange I32 which is secured to an inner side plate I24 (and carline I26) by some means, such as rivets I34 and a substantially horizontal shelf I35. At the center of the car, preferably extending on both sides of the center line I36 thereof, gussets I38 are secured to the carlines I26 by the rivets I39 through flanges of the gussets or by other means. Each gusset I38 has a depending portion I4I which is provided with a substantially horizontal shelf I42 for supporting a container 6. The upstanding partition I4 may also be supported by the depending portions I4I.

A refrigerant container 6 is preferably formed of sheet metal with the bottom I45 thereof reinforced by a plurality of spaced apart, transversely extending channel members I46, the channel members I46 being disposed with their webs I41 vertical and having their ends formed as horizontal feet I48. Reinforcing members I50 may be secured to the sides II of the container 6, which reinforcing members I50 comprise angles having one leg I52 secured to the container 6 and the other leg I54 disposed in flatwise relation to the webs I41 of the channel reinforcing members I46. The angle reinforcing members I50 have substantially horizontal feet I56 which lie between the shelves I42 and the flanges I51 of the channel reinforcing members, thereby providing a very rigid footing upon which the con tainer rests. Bolts I59 are preferably provided to secure together the shelves I35, I42, flanges I51 and feet I56. Other bolts I60 extending in a horizontal direction resist lateral thrusts resulting from the mass of refrigerant in refrigerant containers.

In order to remove a container 6, it is necessary only to remove the bolts I59, I60, move the container 6 laterally toward an end of the car a distance slightly more than the width of the shelves I35, I42 and then lower said container in a vertical direction to the floor of the car.

In the modification shown in Figs. and 11, the carlines I65 are channel-shaped members having their webs I66 vertical, the carlines I65 being secured to the inner posts I68 by the angle clips I69. Each carline I65 has secured thereto on each side thereof outwardly projecting brackets I10 for supporting the containers 6. Each bracket I10 comprises a substantial horizontal, shelf-like portion I1 I, an upstanding flange I13 in flat-wise relation to the web I66 of the channel I 65 and another upstanding flange I14 disposed transversely to the channel I65.

The containers 6 have secured to theends thereof brackets I11 having substantially horizontal foot portions I18 arranged to engage the brackets I10 and upstanding flanges I19 engaging the transversely disposed flanges I14 of the brackets I10. The brackets I11 also have upstanding flanges IOI in flat-wise relation to the ends I82 of the containers 6 for attachment thereto. The foot portions I18 of the brackets I11 are preferably disposed above the lower ends of the attaching flanges I8I and connected thereto by upwardly and outwardly sloping sections I 64 so as to permit the carlines I to be disposed near the roof 2 and the attaching flanges I8I to have a relatively large width. Panels 46, 50 may be provided in the ceiling 45 and outer roof sheets 49 respectively to provide recesses 41 for the carlines and to hold the insulation 52 in place. In order to remove the containers, it is necessary only to remove the rivets I86 through the brackets I10, I11 and move the containers laterally toward the center of the car a relatively small distance, after which they may be lowered vertically to the floor of the car.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred form of the invention, though it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, as it is obvious that various modifications thereof, within the scope of the claims, will occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a refrigerator car, a wall, spaced apart carlines each secured at one end thereof to said wall, a refrigerant container between said carlines, brackets fixedly secured to said carlines having outwardly projecting substantially horizontal shelves and members secured to said container having substantially horizontal feet which rest upon said shelves to support said container, said feet and shelves being arranged to be disengaged upon lateral movement of said container after which said container may be moved vertically out of position.

2. In a refrigerator car, a wall, spaced apart carlines each secured at one end thereof to said wall, a refrigerant container between said carlines, brackets secured to said carlines having outwardly projecting substantially horizontal shelves and stiffening members secured to said container having substantially vertical legs spaced from said container and substantially horizontal feet which rest upon said shelves to support said container, said legs being secured to said brackets to resist horizontal inertia thrusts of the container, said feet and. shelves being arranged to be disengaged upon lateral movement of said container after which said container may be moved vertically out of position.

3. In a refrigerator car, a wall, spaced apart carlines, a refrigerant container between said carlines having a side adjacent said wall, means to secure one end of each of said carline to said last mentioned wall, brackets secured to said carlines remote from said wall, said means and said brackets having outwardly projecting substantially horizontal shelves and members secured to said container having substantially horizontal feet which rest upon said shelves to support said container, said feet and shelves being arranged to be disengaged upon lateral movement of said container after which said container may be moved vertically out of position.

4. In a refrigerator car, a wall, spaced apart carlines each secured at one end thereof to said wall, a refrigerant container between said carlines, brackets fixedly secured to said carlines having outwardly projecting substantially horizontal shelves and substantially vertical flanges and members secured to said container having substantially horizontal feet which rest upon said shelves to support said container and flanges which engage aid first-mentioned flanges to resist horizontal inertia thrusts of the container, said feet and shelves being arranged to be disengaged upon lateral movement of said container after which said container may be moved vertically out of position.

5. In a refrigerator car, a wall, a roof, spaced apart carlines near said roof each secured at one end thereof to said wall, a refrigerant container between said carlines having its bottom at a substantially lower elevation than said carlines, brackets depending from and secured to said carlines, said brackets having outwardly projecting substantially horizontal shelves and members secured to said container having substantially horizontal feet which rest upon said shelves to support said container, said feet and shelves being arranged to be disengaged upon lateral movement of said container after which said container may be moved vertically out of position.

6. In a refrigerator car, a wall, a roof, spaced apart carlines near said roof each secured at one end thereof to said Wall, a refrigerant container between said carlines having its bottom at a substantially lower elevation than said carlines, brackets secured to said carlines having outwardly projecting substantially horizontal shelves and members secured to said container comprising substantially horizontal feet connected to said container by upwardly and outwardly inclined sections, said feet resting upon said shelves to support said container, said feet and shelves being arranged to be disengaged upon lateral movement of said container after which said container may be moved vertically out of position.

'7. In a refrigerator car having a wall and a roof, spaced apart carlines near said roof each secured at one end thereof to said wall, a refrigerant container between said carlines, a drip pan below said container, a partition upstanding from said drip pan below said carlines and means to support said container from said carlines, said means comprising brackets secured to said carline and members extending upwardly and outwardly from said container engaging said brackets.

8. In a refrigerator car, a wall, spaced apart carlines each secured at one end thereof to said wall, a refrigerant container between vertical planes passing through said carlines, brackets fixedly secured to said carline having laterally extending shelves, and members secured to said container having feet supported by said shelves, said feet and shelves being arranged to be disengaged upon lateral movement of said container after which said container may be moved vertically out of position.

9. In a refrigerator car, a wall, spaced apart carlines each secured at one end thereof to said wall, a refrigerant container between vertical planes passing through said carlines, brackets fixedly secured to said carlines having laterally extending substantially horizontal shelves, and members secured to said container having substantially horizontal feet engaging said shelves to support said container, said feet and shelves being arranged to be disengaged upon lateral movement of said container after which said container may be moved vertically out of position.

10. In a refrigerator car, a wall, spaced apart carlines each secured at one end thereof to said wall, a refrigerant container between vertical planes passing through said carlines, brackets fixedly secured to said carlines having laterally extending shelves, and members secured to said container having feet at least partially complementary to said shelves and supported thereby, said feet and shelves being arranged to be disengaged upon lateral movement of said container after which said container may be moved vertically out of position.

11. In a refrigerator car, a wall, spaced apart carlines each secured at one end thereof to said wall, a refrigerant container between vertical planes passing through said carlines, brackets fixedly secured to said carlines having laterally extending shelves, and members secured to the end walls of said container having laterally ex tending feet supported on said shelves, said feet and shelves being arranged to be disengaged upon lateral movement of said container after which said container may be moved vertically out of position.

12. In a refrigerator car, a wall, spaced apart carlines each secured at one end thereof to said wall, a refrigerant container between vertical planes passing through said carlines, brackets r fixedly secured to said carlines having laterally extending parts comprising shelves and flanges disposed in angular relation, and members secured to said container having laterally extending feet at least partially complementary with said parts and supported thereby, said feet and parts being arranged to be disengaged upon lateral movement of said container after which said container may be moved vertically out of position.

13. In a refrigerator car, a wall, spaced apart carlines each secured at one end thereof to said Wall, a refrigerant container between vertical planes passing through said carlines, brackets fixedly secured to said carlines having laterally extending parts comprising shelves and flanges disposed in angular relation, and members secured to the end walls of said container having laterally extending feet at least partially complementary with said parts and supported thereby, said feet and parts being arranged to be disengaged upon lateral movement of said container after which said container may be moved vertically out of position.

CHARLES D. BONSALL. 

